# Anduril's vision for powering maritime defense

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2026-09-24
- Length: 32m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense

## Summary

Dr. Andrew Nuss, head of growth and strategy for the Maritime Division at Anduril, explains the unique energy challenges of maritime defense, where water's density requires 1,000 times more energy for propulsion than air. He details how Anduril optimizes single energy systems for both propulsion and payload sensors, utilizing repackaged lithium-ion cells in pressure vessels or epoxy-potted modules to withstand deep-sea conditions. Nuss highlights the high cost and long timelines of certifying battery systems for naval use, which delays adoption of commercial innovations, and discusses the potential for surface/subsea recharging depots and the renewed interest in nuclear propulsion for high-speed commercial shipping.

## Chapters

- [2:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=167) Introduction: Andrew Nuss and Anduril's Maritime Focus
- [3:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=205) Maritime Physics: Density, Pressure, and Energy Density
- [5:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=355) Unified Energy Systems: Propulsion vs. Payload Power
- [9:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=599) Battery Architectures: Pressure Vessels and Epoxy Potting
- [14:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=870) Defense Requirements: Persistence, Flexibility, and Nuclear Comparison
- [17:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=1052) Operational Trade-offs: Diesel-Electric, Fuel Cells, and Certification Hurdles
- [22:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=1375) Future Paradigms: Recharging Depots and Nuclear Commercial Shipping
- [28:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense#t=1722) Supply Chain: Avoiding Adversary Cells and Building Demand Signals

## Topics

- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Anduril (company)
- CATL (company)
- BYD (company)
- LG (company)
- Panasonic (company)
- Energy Impact Partners (company)
- Latitude Media (company)
- EnergyHub (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Reinventing Sea Travel with Billy Thalheimer of REGENT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2023-01-05-reinventing-sea-travel-with-billy-thalheimer-of-regent) (Over the Air)
- [Floating Power Sources, Augmented Reality For Work, And More | Hard Tech #5](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-11-floating-power-sources-augmented-reality-for-work-and-more-hard-tech-5) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [Rethinking Contested Logistics with Austin Gray, Co-Founder of Blue Water Autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2025-01-06-rethinking-contested-logistics-with-austin-gray-co-founder-of-blue-water-autonom) (Tough Tech Vets)
- [Episode 59: Robots at sea - Ffion Llewellyn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-10-27-episode-59-robots-at-sea-ffion-llewellyn) (Robot Talk)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-09-24-andurils-vision-for-powering-maritime-defense. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Catalyst.